+3 Interview: Abigoliah Schamaun: Namaste, Bitches

“70 years later a lot has changed and at the same time, nothing has changed.”

WHO: Abigoliah Schamaun, Performer/Writer

WHAT:“What’s the point in pursuing enlightenment when you could just put your feet up and knock back a bourbon? And what passes for happiness these days? Abigoliah is a certified Bikram Yoga instructor; she’s run marathons and Tough Mudders, participated in Crossfit competitions… Why would she bother when you’re just as likely to find those sweet endorphins at the bottom of a pint glass? She dissects mankind’s relationship with wellness and happiness; a show for anyone who’s paused on a treadmill or over a shot glass and wondered ‘wait… what am I doing?’”

Oh no. this is not my first Fringe it’s not even my FIFTH Fringe!!! I’ve been coming to Edinburgh every year in August since BEFORE the Fringe happened! Back then there were no Q & A’s, no punters. There weren’t even venues. We just had to perform in cardboard boxes. Every night us performers would crawl into our boxes then shout at passers by to come in and join us for a pint and a story. And that was the start of The Fringe. So as you can see, now 70 years later a lot has changed and at the same time, nothing has changed.

Tell us about your show.

My show is called Abigoliah Schamaun: Namaste, Bitches. I’m allowed to put my own name in the title because I wrote it and am the star of it. Live Nation are my producers but, they only came on when they agreed the show wouldn’t be called Live Nation: Namaste, Bitches. That was my bargaining chip and I won.

I’m excited to have my show premiere at the Fringe. It’s a fun stand-up show about obsession; fitness; and the pursuit of enlightenment. After The Fringe I plan on using the show as my platform to run for president. I’m not a politician but I am an American and as a child they told us, anyone can be president. This past year has proved that, so if they let a Reality TV star into the Whitehouse why not a plucky Fringe performer?

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

I always recommend Tomás Ford. He’s a crazy awesome cabaret performer from Perth who blows my socks off every time. See him in Craptacular at 5pm at the Gilded Balloon. If you don’t see me, fine, if you don’t see him, you’ve done the Fringe wrong.

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